Search

Objectives. Evaluate the health impact of a novel financial education and coaching program in single mothers of low-income in Omaha, Nebraska. Methods. Employed, single mothers earning no more than 200% of the 2017 Federal Poverty Level (n = 345) enrolled in the study between April 2017 and August 2020 and were randomized to receive a novel financial education and coaching program, the Financial Success Program (FSP) or no intervention control. Demographics, biometrics, financial strain, health behaviors and healthcare utilization were assessed at baseline and the 12-month study visits. Results. Participants who completed the FSP demonstrated significantly reduced financial strain, an increased rate of smoking cessation, and a reduction in avoidance of medical care due to cost compared to participants in the control group. Conclusions. The FSP represents an effective model in promoting economic stability in vulnerable individuals through a reduction in financial strain. Health behavior changes including an increased rate of smoking cessation were demonstrated within the first 12 months of intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fish oils are the most widely used nonvitamin, nonmineral dietary supplements in the United States. They are not over-the-counter medications and are neither approved nor indicated for treating disease. Patient knowledge and patterns of fish oil use are not well defined. Objective: To determine cardiac patients' knowledge and patterns of fish oil use. Methods: One thousand consecutive patients admitted to an in-patient cardiology service (2015-2017) taking fish oil dietary supplements or prescription omega-3 fatty acids were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire concerning product knowledge and use. Results: A total of 711 (71%) patients completed the questionnaire. Primary reasons for use included general health (34%), heart health (28%), arthritis (9%), and lipid disorders (8%). Few patients (14%) were advised to take fish oil products by a health-care provider. Only 2.5% were taking prescription omega-3 fatty acids. Only 26% knew the active ingredient in their fish oil product. Supplements were purchased through a nonpharmacy retail seller by 81% of respondents. Conclusions: Most cardiac patients consuming fish oil dietary supplements do so without medical supervision and without knowledge of the active ingredients. As most patients obtain supplements outside of a pharmacy, opportunities to monitor and educate patients remain a major challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increasing rates of medical errors necessitate incorporation of patient safety education for health professions students. Institutions must address the needs of both campus- and distance-based learners to meet interprofessional education (IPE) accreditation requirements. The purpose of this project was to evaluate a synchronous interprofessional patient safety simulation to train students on interprofessional teamwork and communication through recognition of patient safety and medical hazards. Method: Students from health care professions participated in a Haunted Hospital/Heartbreak Hospital patient hazard/medical error simulation. A total of 201 students in 41 teams, both campus and distance, participated over three semesters. Results: Mean Student Perceptions of Interprofessional Clinical Education-Revised (SPICE-R) scores significantly improved from 44.81 ± 3.59 to 47.08 ± 3.31 (Mean Student Perceptions of Interprofessional Clinical Education-Revised (SPICE-R) scores significantly improved from 44.81 ± 3.59 to 47.08 ± 3.31 (p <.0001). Qualitative responses indicated that students appreciated working with other health care students through collaborative practice and recognized the importance of discipline-specific expertise. Conclusion: This simulation provided campus and distance learners with a collaboration opportunity that improved their perceptions of IPE. This simulation provided campus and distance learners with a collaboration opportunity that improved their perceptions of IPE. [[J Nurs Educ. 2019;58(10):577–582.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ranolazine is a novel antianginal medication approved for the treatment of chronic angina. There are only limited data concerning the efficacy of ranolazine in reducing healthcare resource utilization in patients with refractory angina pectoris. Objective: The primary objective of this analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ranolazine in refractory angina pectoris. In addition, the impact of ranolazine on healthcare resource utilization was assessed. Methods: Consecutive patients with refractory angina pectoris treated with ranolazine at two cardiology practices in the state of Nebraska were included in this analysis. The Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) angina class and frequency and type of healthcare resource consumption were determined during the 12 months prior to and the 12 months after initiation of ranolazine. Results: A total of 150 pts (64 % men) with a mean age of 66 ± 12 years were included in this analysis. All patients had previously undergone coronary revascularization. Nitrates, β-adrenoceptor antagonists (β-blockers), and calcium antagonists (calcium channel blockers) were being used in 83, 97, and 75 % of patients, respectively. During ranolazine treatment, a significant improvement in CCS angina class was observed, with 23 patients improving by one class and no patient experiencing a deterioration in functional class ( p = 0.025). A total of 53 side effects occurred in 28 (19 %) patients receiving ranolazine. Of those patients with side effects, four required dose reduction and seven required drug discontinuation. The frequency of clinic visits and emergency room visits was lower during ranolazine treatment, but the differences in frequency were not significant. The number of patients hospitalized and the number of hospitalizations were significantly lower during ranolazine therapy than in the pre-ranolazine study period ( p = 0.002). Conclusion: Ranolazine improved the CCS angina class and reduced hospitalizations over a 12-month follow-up period in a group of patients with difficult-to-treat refractory angina pectoris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Core Competencies for Collaborative Practice identify the skills needed by every health care provider to be successful in implementing interprofessional practice. Health professions students need to build skills for interprofessional practice as emerging professionals. Reflection is a core skill needed for successful interprofessional practices. This study identifies themes from an interprofessional education research project and discusses their congruency with the Competencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]